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#1 May 21 2004 at 8:12 PM Rating: Default
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I'm looking into getting a new motorcycle, and I've been shopping around, and found http://www.sockeyesmotorsports.com/sockeyesmotorsports3/cfml/nsm_bike.cfm?showmake=Swift%20Motorcycle

The Punisher SF on the right. Now, I've never had a Swift, so does anyone have any experience with them? How high quality are they?

The price seems pretty good too, considering the custom paint job
#2 May 21 2004 at 8:15 PM Rating: Decent
Looks like a decent bike never ridden a swift so could tell ya how it handles. you could build one for less than half that though.
#3 May 21 2004 at 8:17 PM Rating: Default
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True, but the first and only bike I built didn't turn out too well. I ended up having to call in half a dozen favors from people who knew wtf they were doing to actually get it running.
#4 May 21 2004 at 8:43 PM Rating: Good
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Cthulu, I really don't have an answer to your question.

However, I'd like to pose a question of my own.

I don't really understand the appeal that 'cruisers' have. I really just don't get it, at all. I can't deny that they have a tremendous amount of appeal for millions of people, I just know that when I see one, I react almost violently towards them. I have to admit that my dislike of cruisers is borderline irrational.

What draws you to them?

-Handling wise, they are scraping the bottom of the barrel (and usually their pegs at 10mph).
-Technologically, they're outdated; long push-rod engines, carburetion.
-As far as comfort goes, they have a leg up on purebred sport bikes, but touring and sport-touring bikes have them beat. Hello, motards and adventure-tourers have them beat. When did Harley start rubber mounting the 'Sportster', their most popular bike? Last year?
-In terms of horsepower, they typically have a power/weight ratio somewhere around half that of a sport, touring, or sport-touring bike.
-They generally have smaller, stylized 'tear drop' tanks, thus less range.
-They're generally anywhere from 50 to 200% more than most other classes of motorcycle.
-They're less reliable (well, at least if they're made in the U.S.).

I understand that 'The heart wants what the heart wants'. And that's all the explanation you need. I am simply hoping to take a peek inside the mind of a 'cruiser guy'. I want to know (and be honest), is it simply an image thing?

Simply put, why?
#5 May 21 2004 at 9:59 PM Rating: Decent
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I don't get it either. A lot of them will tell you "If you have to ask, you'll never understand", which is another way of saying "I'm too stupid to know why, so I can't explain it".

#6 May 21 2004 at 10:55 PM Rating: Decent
I think I can explain it. I am a biker rode in an biker gang for 2.5 years. It's a lifestyle, a subculture of America (the world really) We all think you sportbike riders are a bunch of punk kids Smiley: wink Personally I love the way they look, they have more style and art to them. I can personalize my bike to look however I wish, something you can do to a sportbike on a very limited basis. (at least compared to a custom cruiser). I love the way they ride. I am not out for speed or going around a corner at 75mph. I like an easy relaxing ride. Also I am pretty tall at 6'3" so a cruiser is much more comfortable for me as I can stretch out. I can understand the sport bike thing. I had one rode it for about a year. Then I got on a custom cruiser, I couldnt sell my sportbike fast enough.

In the end it just comes down to personal preference. Some people like the sportbike scene and some the cruiser.
#7 May 21 2004 at 11:18 PM Rating: Good
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Quote:
I love the way they look, they have more style and art to them

Translation: Chrome is shiney!

Quote:
I can personalize my bike to look however I wish

Translation: I'm very unique in a mass-produced kinda way.

Quote:
you can (personalize) a sportbike on a very limited basis

Translation: If you paint a sportbike the engine will explode.

Quote:
Also I am pretty tall at 6'3" so a cruiser is much more comfortable for me as I can stretch out

Translation: The only reason Thundra, who is also 6'3", can fit on a sportbike is because he has a smaller *****.

Quote:
I like an easy relaxing ride

Translation: I drive only in a straight line, and only to the 7-Eleven.

See? I told you I was irrationally hostile towards cruisers. In all seriousness, I have little respect for posers who ride repli-racers on the street (and only the street), so it's not as if my hostility is targeted solely at the chromed-clones.

It sounds to me like it's mostly about 'image'. And as long as you are O.K. with being mocked by me, I'm O.K. with you riding a cruiser. And you are, of course, free to reciprocate my treatment.
#8 May 21 2004 at 11:43 PM Rating: Default
.. i hear mopeds are making a big come back.

just get those weird lookin rims that spin on both sides when you stop. get the whole thing chromed,paint the gas tank and fenders purple..... and replace the engine with a freakin 426 hemi with multi point fuel injection.689 horse power on pump gas has enough force on take off that you'll be digging your balls out of your own *** for months.


jeebus!
#9 May 21 2004 at 11:51 PM Rating: Decent
Quote:
Translation: I'm very unique in a mass-produced kinda way. [/quote

Actually I built my bike (so bite me) but yes most people buy a mass produced bike however there are a million things you can do to a cruiser. Everything from changing the mirrors to switching out the sheet metal.

Quote:
Translation: The only reason Thundra, who is also 6'3", can fit on a sportbike is because he has a smaller *****.


Maybe your ***** is smaller than mine I dont know but personally I dont enjoy riding with my knees in my chest. I like to lean back and relax. That's a personal choice.

Quote:
Translation: I drive only in a straight line, and only to the 7-Eleven.


Whatever. [:yawn:] Just because I dont want to ride 120mph and zip in and out of traffic like an idiot doesnt mean I cant ride.

[quote]It sounds to me like it's mostly about 'image'. And as long as you are O.K. with being mocked by me, I'm O.K. with you riding a cruiser. And you are, of course, free to reciprocate my treatment.


Maybe it is about image I never really thought about it. I just love my bike. So you and your punk *** small ***** can keep your sportbike and I will stick with my custom scoot. Smiley: smile

BTW: Did I mention my bike is a 600lb vibrator? Smiley: wink
#10 May 22 2004 at 12:04 AM Rating: Good
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I guess we'll just agree to disagree.

Out of curiousity, what kind of custom cruiser do you own that only weighs 600 pounds?

#11 May 22 2004 at 12:10 AM Rating: Decent
that's cool just an expression man.
#12 May 22 2004 at 12:38 AM Rating: Default
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Oh, I already have a sports bike, and several others, but no cruisers. Which is why I'm going to buy one, or plan on buying one, anyway.Something a bit more showy than the usual black, I guess
#13 May 22 2004 at 1:00 AM Rating: Good
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Well, cruisers in and of themselves aren't necessarily slow, poor turners, or heavy, but the Harley market generally builds them that way. Honda, Yammie, and Zuke, however, make models which have the sound of a hog, but more performance.

H-D has built them not because it's what works, but because they are selling an image of the rough edged individualist who is by nature a scofflaw and fiercely independent. The funny thing is the mass conformity to a black leather clad, fringed a$$less chaps wearing, and American flag skull capped quasi-Hells Angels looking archtype, when the vast majority are relatively wealthy professionals. And it works. Between the accessories, motorcycles, pickup trucks, and clothing all emblazoned with that horrendous black and orange logo, Harley stock has skyrocketed for the past twenty years.

I'd suggest you look over an FJR or ST1300 if you want a mix of comfort and performance along with technologically up-to-date componentry and design. However, if customizing/chroming/painting/welding on eagles and wolves weighing the same as steel I-beams on your ride is your primary goal, then, well, Harley has made a product to fit your niche market.

Totem
#14 May 22 2004 at 11:46 AM Rating: Default
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Totem, that's all well and good, but I don't want a Harley....So have any info on Swift? :P
#15 May 22 2004 at 1:39 PM Rating: Decent
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First, you're a moron for spending ~25k on a "custom" looking bike that's...not custom. I sent an email to my freind who rides a "chopper" (in other words he can ride for about 15 minutes without requiring traction afterwards) and he said Swift is a "poor man's Big Dog" I have no idea what that means, but thought you might.
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To make a long story short, I don't take any responsibility for anything I post here. It's not news, it's not truth, it's not serious. It's parody. It's satire. It's bitter. It's angsty. Your mother's a *****. You like to jack off dogs. That's right, you heard me. You like to grab that dog by the bone and rub it like a ski pole. Your dad? Gay. Your priest? Straight. **** off and let me post. It's not true, it's all in good fun. Now go away.

#16 May 22 2004 at 6:15 PM Rating: Default
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That's about how much it will cost for any cruiser, and alot are 10k more. The custom paintings and such only add $500-$1k. I'm willing to spend that. I make plenty of money to justify that amount.


Basicly your friend just said I'm going to spend 25k on something when I should be spending 45k.
#17 May 22 2004 at 8:33 PM Rating: Good
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Ok, I re-read you OP and saw you asked about Swifts. Is there a particular reason you want this brand or is it curiosity? After all, since the only thing really paintable is that teeny tiny teardrop tank that all cruisers seem to have wouldn't it make sense to get a cycle which has something to offer than just looks? Not that I am saying Swifts aren't any good, because I don't know one way or another, but if a cruiser is what you're after, then one that handles well would be a priority, I'd think. Thus, look for bikes that have those properties and deal with the cosmetic stuff afterwards.

Totem
#18 May 22 2004 at 8:38 PM Rating: Decent
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It's a style over performance thing, I hope. Like wearing platform shoes to look taller. riding around on that thing shouts "I have a tiny ***** but LOOK, I'M COMPENSATING!!!" like nothing else does with the possible exception of an H2.
____________________________
Disclaimer:

To make a long story short, I don't take any responsibility for anything I post here. It's not news, it's not truth, it's not serious. It's parody. It's satire. It's bitter. It's angsty. Your mother's a *****. You like to jack off dogs. That's right, you heard me. You like to grab that dog by the bone and rub it like a ski pole. Your dad? Gay. Your priest? Straight. **** off and let me post. It's not true, it's all in good fun. Now go away.

#19 May 22 2004 at 9:19 PM Rating: Good
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5,019 posts
If I had to buy a cruiser, I'd probably go with a V-Max. It's far more modern than 99% of cruisers, which is peculiar considering it has remained fundamentally unchanged for almost 20 years.

The Honda Rune elicits in me a torrent of conflicting emotions, varying from repulsion to awe. I could never enjoy riding it knowing that a 5mph low-side caused by an invisible puddle of anti-freeze around a residential corner would result in at least 4k in damage. That beast is big, beautiful, and tacky. Kinda like Dolly Parton.
#20 May 22 2004 at 10:05 PM Rating: Default
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Curiosity. It's one of the few I've found that are within a reasonable price range, and don't look like absolute ****. Nothing I can find about it on the net, while I can get info on the rest.
#21 May 22 2004 at 10:14 PM Rating: Good
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Quote:
Nothing I can find about it on the net, while I can get info on the rest.


It's been my experience that the rarity of a particular brand of motorcycle is indirectly proportional to its reliability.

#22 May 22 2004 at 10:17 PM Rating: Default
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You can find more about Windows on the net than Linux. Case and point.

Anyway, I'm still looking around, so if anyone finds anything, I'd appreciate it.
#23 May 22 2004 at 10:36 PM Rating: Good
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Quote:
You can find more about Windows on the net than Linux.

This analogy is flawed on so many levels I'm not sure where to begin.

1. Last I heard, Microsoft wasn't in the business of making motorcycles.
2. |Operating System : Motorcycle| as |Bad Analogy : Creating a Compelling Argument|
3. I'm assuming that by comparing the reliability of motorcycles to the reliability of an operating system, I am to infer that the abundance of information available on a given subject is not always indicative of its quality or reliability, yes? To that I would reply, "When 90% of the home market is dominated by a company, it stands to reason that that company is far more subject to criticism than the company with the 10% marketshare."

Btw, it's "Case in point", and you used the phrase in the wrong context. I only explain this to you because mistakes similar to the one you just made remind me of a painful lesson I learned at the hands of a college professor who was sorely jealous of my ability, and sought to extract his revenge by publicly announcing that I'd mistakenly used the phrase "For all intensive purposes" in lieu of the correct phrase "For all intents and purposes".

I turned bright red, and was too embarassed to return to that class for a couple days. On the other hand, I have never used that phrase incorrectly since.

Moral: Humiliate your pupils, it motivates them.

Edited, Sat May 22 23:39:39 2004 by Thundra
#24 May 23 2004 at 12:22 AM Rating: Good
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While you undoubtedly checked this I will provide this link in case you missed it.

http://www.swiftmotorcycle.com/site_02.htm

I will ask around for you on the couple forums I frequent.

Totem
#25 May 23 2004 at 1:24 AM Rating: Default
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Thundra, it's a perfectly logical and correct reference. Something being mentioned more doesn't mean it's better. Some of the best things are refered to the least. Some of the best things around are seen the least. You ask someone who doesn't know much about motorcyles, and they'll have heard of Harley-Davidson... Who hasn't? But it's nowhere near the best brand out there, just the one with the most recognition.

As for my mistake about Case in/and Point... Oops.


Totem, I looked around on the site, but it's as unbiased as any site selling their own product :P
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